Diocese of Puerto Iguazú celebrates patronal feast with central mass

The celebration took place under the motto "400 years evangelizing with Mary" and marked three anniversaries: 400 years since the arrival of the Jesuit Missions in Santa Maria del Iguazú, 40 years of the diocese, and 30 years of brotherhood with the Archdiocese of Hamburg.

The activities began on the night of Friday, August 14, with the XXXIX Diocesan Pilgrimage, which departed at 10 p.m. from the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Puerto Libertad. On Saturday, the II Biciperegrição left at 4 a.m. from the same point, passing through Gendarmería, Puerto Península and Desvío Iguazú, with Bishop Baisi himself participating. Before the central mass, Eucharistic celebrations were held at 4 a.m., 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.

In his homily, Bishop Baisi linked the joy of Jesus’ presence with the 400 years of the Jesuit Missions, highlighting that the Jesuits brought Christ to the region and that this presence continues to be a source of joy through the seminaries and charity. Archbishop Stefan Heße, who had not visited the diocese in ten years, expressed surprise at the fervor of the faithful and emphasized that "the Church is not a museum, but a living reality."

As a gesture of brotherhood, the Archbishop of Hamburg presented Bishop Baisi with an artistic reproduction of an image of Saint Oscar (Anskar), the historic founder of the Archdiocese of Hamburg. In return, he received a Salteño poncho.

After the mass, there was a family lunch, folkloric performances, dance, sale of bonuses benefiting the seminary, and an exhibition of works from the Hamburg-Iguazú brotherhood. In the afternoon, at 5 p.m., the book "The Reduction of Santa Maria del Iguazú" by Maria Angélica Amable was presented at the Hotel Guaminí Misión.

Source: https://radiocataratas.com/2026/08/17/la-diocesis-de-puerto-iguazu-celebra-su-fiesta-patronal-con-una-multitudinaria-misa-central-y-la-presencia-del-arzobispo-de-hamburgo